Chapter 3 

 

 

Billy was smiling as he walked down the street in the dark. He had seen Nick get out of his car and he knew he was going to get to talk to him. He was also more than excited when he realized Nick was shirtless. It may have been dark but even the darkness did not preclude the vision of flesh and muscle, which to Billy was simply magnificent. Nick’s huge and tanned body and its massive rolling muscles, reflected the limited streetlights and seemed to gleam.

 

The expression on Billy’s face changed immediately when he saw Nick fall and hit the ground. He ran instantly to his aid but as he shook and spoke to Nick and received no response, his worry grew exponentially. He thought that maybe Nick had knocked himself out but he could not be sure. He reached for his phone to call for the paramedics but just as he was about to dial nine-one-one, he heard the low groan and realized Nick was regaining consciousness.

 

With a worried tone of voice Billy said, “Nick, it’s me, Billy. Are you okay?”

 

All Billy heard was another muffled groan and with an uncertain sigh he reached and gently put his hand on Nick’s back. Just for a moment he was taken by arousal, as the heat that emanated from the powerful nature of such a strong and muscular back, filled him with desire. The exposed skin was so smooth and enticing. He let his hand slide over the skin a little but then his mind snapped back to what was actually taking place.

 

“Nick! Nick, can you hear me? It’s Billy.”

 

“Ah. Aw shit,” Nick managed to say and he began to move but now he felt every other pain from the day’s and night’s events. “Aw fuck,” he groaned more comprehensibly.

 

“Nick, it’s Billy, let me help you.”

 

“Billy? Buddy. Yeah, I could do with a hand,” he said while searching for his mind, as well as his ability to manipulate his body.

 

Billy reached and wrapped his hand around the hard protruding biceps and triceps of Nick’s left arm and then he reached across with the other hand and gripped the other side of Nick’s body. With a firm hold he began to pull him up from the ground. Nick was beginning to feel the return of his mental faculties and he helped Billy to help him to his feet.

 

Compared to Nick’s six foot four, Billy was five foot eleven and so as he pulled Nick to him and wrapped his arms around him, he felt his face press against Nick’s shoulder and chest. Nick’s arm embraced around Billy’s shoulders to add to his balance and stability, as he leaned on him for support. Billy was worried about Nick but he was also in awe of the close press of Nick’s shirtless torso against him. They began to walk toward the apartment block and every few steps Nick would stagger or stumble slightly, as an invasive and dizzying fog interfered with his mind.

 

Once through the front door of the building, Billy reached for the light but as was so often the case, it was broken and they walked up a darkened stairway. He helped Nick up the two flights and then took his key from him and opened his door. He walked him in, closed the door and turned on the light.

 

Billy gasped in horror when he saw Nick’s face and body. Blood was congealing down and over his left eye, which had a large open cut extending from his eyebrow. There was a small gash on his right cheek from where his face had hit the massive tree root and a huge golf ball sized lump on his forehead from the collision with the trunk of the oak tree. His right upper arm was blue from falling on it to make the touchdown and his stomach and waist was red and turning purple from several of the blows to his body, courtesy of the tattooed man. Billy looked back up at Nick’s face and he saw another smaller bruise on his chin, which had come from the fight also. Billy had no idea what had happened but he was certain only one or two of the injuries were from the impact of the fall outside.

 

With a worried tone so blatant it could not be mistaken, Billy said, “Nick, Jesus man, what happened?”

 

“Part of the sidewalk disintegrated as I stepped onto it from the verge and I fell. I thought you must have seen it happen,” Nick said.

 

“Yeah, I did but that isn’t what I meant. Jesus, Nick, all of that didn’t happen from a fall. You’ve got cuts and bruises all over. You look like you’ve been through a war,” Billy said clarifying.

 

Nick looked down at the huge bruise on his body and then considered the cut above his eye. They were the only injuries he was consciously aware of but he assumed they were what Billy was seeing and what he was talking about. He quickly thought of an excuse that would not require knowledge of his involvement in street fighting.

 

“Oh that,” he said matter-of-factly, trying as best as possible to play everything down. “We played and won the final today and I scored the winning touchdown. Thanks for your concern for my welfare Billy but it will all heal and I’ll be back to my old self in no time at all,” he replied and was grateful he had a good excuse and that he did not have to invent one on the spot.

 

As he stood looking at an obviously worried Billy and as Billy stared back watching him closely, Nick again noticed the fuzziness in his head and then he suddenly felt dizzy. His body began to waver without his awareness of it and Billy rushed forward and grabbed him, stopping an imminent fall.

 

“I think you may have a concussion and I think we should get you to a doctor,” Billy suggested.

 

“No, I’ll be fine. I just need to shower and go to bed. It’s been a long day,” Nick explained.

 

“You can barely stay standing on your own two feet,” Billy argued, now worrying even more.

 

“I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself,” Nick replied but he felt a sense of pleasure to know that Billy was worried about him and cared enough to want to help.

 

Nick was not used to considerate and selfless behavior coming his way. Not that it surprised him at all where Billy was concerned. The way Billy was reacting to him and treating him at that moment was just one more example of why he liked him so much. It was also why in a way like no other person, he so often considered truly befriending him.

 

“If you collapse in the shower you could fall through the glass and cut yourself in half,” Billy said, offering a worse case scenario.

 

“Positive, aren’t you? You must be the optimist in your family, Billy,” Nick replied sarcastically but with a smile.

 

“Let me stay and help you. I’d never forgive myself if something happens to you and I could have prevented it,” Billy pleaded.

 

Every time Nick saw Billy he liked him even more and now the thought of having Billy look after him was strangely attractive. He was not sure why because he was a badass or at least that was the persona he had forged to present to the outside world but regardless, as a general rule he did not accept help from people. He looked at the fear and the worry in the strange colored eyes, as Billy held him warmly but firmly around his waist. Billy’s expression, like his words, was pleading to be allowed to stay.

 

“All right! You can stay and make sure I don’t collapse and you can also put me to bed and tuck me in, Dad,” he said with a friendly though bemused grin.

 

Billy’s eyes showed instant relief and he slowly turned him and began to walk Nick down the hall, ignoring his sarcasm out of worry, despite his amusement from it. The apartment was a mirror reversal of his own next door and so it was a simple matter to assume where everything would be. He walked Nick directly into the bathroom and sat him on the closed toilet.

 

“You don’t look like you need a shower Billy but you realize you’re going to have to take one? I’m sure this isn’t necessary,” Nick said seriously.

 

“A bit of soap and water never hurt anyone and what is necessary is making certain you’re okay,” Billy replied and then he knelt down and removed Nick’s runners. He stood back up and helped Nick to his feet.

 

“You know, Billy, I think I’m still capable of undressing myself,” Nick said but instantly his eyes rolled and Billy had to grab him to stop him from falling against the wall.

 

After holding him momentarily until Nick looked at him sheepishly, Billy said, “Hmm, so I can see” and then he dragged Nick’s shorts down his legs.

 

Billy looked and for the first time ever, he saw a jockstrap on a man up close in real life. He had seen them in movies, photos and advertising but he had never worn one, purchased one or been with a guy that had worn one either. At school in gym class he had seen other boys who wore them but Nick was no boy and that was the epitome of understatement to Billy. He swallowed deeply as he saw how Nick filled it out. He was obviously a sizeable man all over. Billy leaned Nick against the vanity cabinet and then stepped away to remove his own clothing.

 

While Nick was used to being naked in front of all of the guys in the locker room, the idea of Billy being naked with him or seeing him naked was not a problem and the generalized oddness of this situation did not even occur to him. On the other hand, Billy was only used to being naked with guys that he was intimate with and so this situation was a little unnerving to him. Billy talked himself through it though, justifying that it was for Nick’s benefit and therefore he needed to suck up any insecurity and do what needed to be done.

 

Billy knew that his motives were genuine because he really was worried about Nick but he also knew he had a growing, underlying hidden agenda and that he wanted to be with Nick, to see him naked and to touch him.

 

Seated on the toilet, Billy was taking off his shoes when he glanced over at Nick, who had already dropped the jockstrap to the floor and stepped out of it. Billy stole a swift look at Nick’s manhood. It was circumcised and large with an extensive girth and Billy could only imagine taking part in an exploration.

 

“I’m ready when you are,” Nick said.

 

“I’ve been ready since the day I met you,” Billy thought, remaining silent.

 

As Billy was unbuttoning his shirt, Nick suddenly found himself looking at him and becoming aware of an array of thoughts and feelings. Billy certainly was not Jack with the model looks and he definitely was not Eric with the ripped, cut and buff body but he was nicely built, solid and stocky and Nick discovered as his eyes came to rest on Billy’s face, he was far more attractive than he had ever noticed or considered.

 

Assuming that it must have been because when he first met Billy, like with all people he met, he did not trust Billy. He barely showed him any interest or consideration. It was only because of Billy’s consistent attempts to talk to him, he had begun to relax toward him or even look at him. However, Nick had never looked at Billy before, the way he was looking at him in that moment.

 

They saw each other regularly these days, chatted briefly every time and with each encounter Nick felt an unusual warmth and growing closeness, which he had not felt in years. He had always thought Billy was an attractive guy but that was more about his light and easy personality. Billy’s looks had been nothing more than a passing thought while sexual thoughts had not entered into the equation, on any occasion until now.

 

The previous month or more between he and Billy had been the friendliest Nick had ever been toward any adult. He assumed it was why he had been thinking about Billy on random occasions, when he was not even with him. Nick looked at Billy again and as he moved to adjust his weight, it was a nervous movement followed by a deep swallow. He thought that something about this unexpected reaction was very unsettling.

 

Dismissively, Nick tried to tell himself that with the passage of time and the fact he was getting to know and like Billy, it was simply because Billy was a really nice guy. However, he noticed an anomalous emotional feeling within, which gave him pause as he looked closely at Billy.

 

Nick was prone to being dismissive of any thoughts or feelings that suggested a connection or that made him uncomfortable. Though he wanted to connect, he also did not want to confront his needs. It was incongruous because he wanted to experience those needs more than ever before. However, if these thoughts or feelings were allowed to become truer than they suddenly felt, they would have ramifications upon his life and how he lived. There were also his issues with trust and those issues allowed fear to become a regular visitor.

 

The idea of fear was hard for Nick because he was not particularly susceptible to fear in any other areas of his life. It was only close connections with people that bothered him. Connections concerned with love and sex or family and friendship. Subsequently, Nick decided that Billy undressing in front of him while knowing that soon they would both be naked as well as alone, had to be the likely reason for this sudden change in his feelings.

 

Nick tried to talk himself into believing it had nothing to do with emotions and was simply a matter of looking at an attractive man and therefore he was letting his mind wonder about possibilities. He consciously affirmed there was nothing fearful, hard or threatening about that. This diluted thought comforted him but then he realized that the warm feeling Billy was creating within him was a feeling that was almost completely unfamiliar. Almost, except for Dan. He pushed the exceptionally painful and distracting memory from his mind immediately.

 

Despite his age, Nick really was naïve and ignorant to the true nature of the person he could or should have been. The thought would never have occurred to him that focusing on stunning men like Eric was a simple thing. It did not occur to him that he believed such an opportunity would never eventuate and so he never felt fear about courting those desires.

 

As he looked at Billy closely, he had to admit that Billy was actually a very good-looking guy. He was one of those guys with the boy-next-door look that had an underlying magnetism; however, these feelings he was suddenly experiencing were disconcerting. Nick decided dismissively that even though Billy was a handsome, young man and he was experiencing unusual feelings toward him, it really did not matter because the best that was on offer from Billy would be friendship.

 

As he watched Billy move his shoes and socks out of the way and then fold his shirt, Nick knew that his inexperience was all based on his past. The problem was that he never knew if he was reacting to distrust or to inexperience or if he was just uncomfortable. There was so much fear within him regarding people and all he knew was that it was connected to trusting people and to opening himself up to them. It was so hard for him to let them in. He considered that he should have expected this with Billy because he knew in more recent times he had begun to really like him and think about having him as a friend.

 

Billy placed his folded shirt on the closed toilet. Now half naked, his hands moved to unbuckle the belt to his pants. As Nick watched and desire filled him, he heard the silent words in his head, which told him he was just being desperate. He did not see through his habitual behavior but he was once again trying to dismiss the thoughts and feelings that were frustrating him and confronting him at the same time.

 

The moment the pants and underwear were removed, Nick surreptitiously stole a glancing scan of Billy’s compact body. He imagined touching and holding the smaller though muscular physique. Billy’s body did not look like he worked out or exercised to any major degree, if at all. However, he was still young and so his smooth, olive skin hugged his muscles and contours with shapely curves and tautness, while displaying a healthy vitality. Billy nodded his readiness and then walked toward the shower recess.

 

“Hey Billy, what is it with your eyes? I’ve never seen anyone with eyes that color before?”

 

“Yeah, I’ve had people say that to me. It must be a bit of a rarity. They’re indigo. A dark blue with purple flecks but I’ve never met anyone else who had the same color eyes as mine,” he replied.

 

Billy turned on the faucets and adjusted the water temperature. He stepped over and took hold of Nick’s arm while he rested his other hand on his shoulder to steady him. He then walked him beneath the showerhead.

 

Nick moaned as that well known relaxing feeling of a hot shower insinuated itself into his aching body. “Aw man that feels so good,” he said and then he moaned again as he focused on the feeling of the water.

 

Billy was standing behind Nick with his hand on his shoulder, continuing to steady him. Though he was still worried about Nick, he could not stop himself from staring at the enormous man’s beautiful, broad and shapely, masculine body. He looked down and was amazed by the perfectly curved and seriously firm, tight and smooth butt cheeks, which were mere inches from his touch. He could not believe how a man of Nick’s massive size could have such a perfect and small ass. He wanted to reach down and squeeze the sensuous appearance of the hot and wet cheeks. Nick’s ass was so tight that the cheeks appeared as if they were sealed and as Billy watched the river of water flowing down over Nick’s spine and into the unseen enclosure, Billy wanted to slide his fingers between them. An erection began to form from the thought and he immediately feared a vilifying and violent reaction, if Nick became aware of his physical condition.

 

Nick was standing directly beneath the showerhead and the water was pushing down into his aching head and over his face. Dried blood was washing away and fresh blood was now running again, as it turned a pale pinkish red from the water’s soluble nature. He believed his aches and pains would get worse before better but at that moment, everything, including the pain, felt strangely good. He reached and increased the hot water and slowly the steam began to accumulate and cloud.

 

Billy asked quietly, “Do you want me to wash your back?”

 

Nick replied innocently, “Yeah, thanks, that would be great.”

 

Picking up the soap, Billy began to wash Nick’s back and once again Nick groaned, though this time there was a slight change in his tone. It was a subtle change but it spoke of the pleasure that is found in the sensuous and intimate touch of another human being. It was a feeling for Nick, unlike for most people, which was alien but wonderful. He felt his cock begin to thicken and rise and he looked down and saw the filling arc that was stretching out but still pointing to the floor. He could only imagine Billy’s horrified reaction if he saw its full and hard, thick length, standing upright and pointing to the sky. He began to concentrate to make it go down.

 

Billy’s hands were sliding all over Nick’s huge back, the soapy lather making his touch all the more soft and sensuous. Nick’s blood began to pump harder as his heart began to beat faster but with the added heat and all the steam, he felt his face flush and his body temperature rise swiftly. He also felt an extreme pang of hunger and a moment later he began to fall sideways.

 

Realizing instantly, Billy grabbed him, his arms embracing Nick’s enormous body. His chest pressed to the big man’s back but he struggled to hold and steady Nick’s height and weight.

 

The reoccurrence of Nick’s dizziness impeded proper focus and so despite his sexual reaction to the sensual touch and attention, he was unaware of Billy’s mutual reactions to him.

 

For a brief moment Billy held him; his worry growing again while the growth of his erection receded in accordance with the incompatible emotions. He took a step, moving Nick to the wall and leaned him against it. He looked up at his face. Nick’s eyes were closed and Billy saw the light streaks of blood. He ran his fingers tenderly across his face and wiped away the thin and trickling streams. Billy experienced no caution; it was spontaneous and instinctive. He was so taken and infatuated with Nick and he liked him so much, even more so now and he wanted to kiss him.

 

Moment’s later, Nick’s eyes opened and looked at Billy vaguely. He was unaware of what had just taken place and he also did not realize he had fallen into a semi unconscious state, blacking out momentarily. All he knew was he was in a different position and Billy was looking at him, once again with worry in his eyes.

 

“It may not seem like it but I’m feeling better. Just let me finish and I’ll go to bed. I know you’re worried but I know I’ll be fine,” Nick said.

 

The truth was that Nick felt like he had just fallen asleep and then awoke wondering what had happened. He noticed a fuzzy illumination within his right peripheral vision and though he had experienced it before, he was beginning to believe what was happening was a repeat of that condition but under unusual circumstances. Still, he wondered if there was a connection this time, with so many physical collisions and impacts in one day. He did not know if it was a result of a concussion like Billy had suggested but he really did think that if he just ate something and got some sleep, he would be fine.

 

Billy looked at Nick with a pained expression but nodded in the affirmative. He told him to stay where he was, leaning against the tiled wall and again he reached for the soap and began to run it over Nick’s skin. He rubbed the yellow bar over his neck, his shoulders and arms, into his armpits and then over his chest. He thought the feeling of the smooth and taut skin of the muscular body was incredible. Touching Nick’s massive chest was a major struggle for Billy. It was so huge and round and defined and he just wanted to press his lips all over it but he chose to soldier on with denial and discipline.

 

Once again Nick was becoming aroused as Billy was washing him. He could feel himself getting hard but just as he started to worry about the consequences, his eyes rolled and his eyelids dropped again.

 

Billy was also getting hard and he was extremely pleased that the entire room was now filled with heavy steam. He looked down through the dense steam regardless, to make sure his stiffening cock was not visible but he was instead confronted by a huge erection belonging to Nick, which was actually in a state of demise. Still the sight of it turned Billy on and he wanted to curl his fingers around it and gently stroke its huge and impressive appearance.

 

The question suddenly occurred to Billy, “Why did Nick have an erection?”

 

Billy’s thought was only natural because he carried an attitude that Nick was as straight as straight could be. However, with curiosity, he looked up at Nick’s face.

 

Nick’s eyes were closed and his expression was blank and Billy thought that Nick was unconscious. He was actually correct and it was the reason why Nick’s erection was becoming flaccid. Billy then worried that if Nick was unconscious, the press of his hand against Nick’s chest was simply keeping him propped against the wall. He pulled his hand away from Nick’s body to test his theory and Nick began to drop. Billy thrust his whole body against Nick to stop him from falling, using his weight for support. The impact made Nick jerk back to full consciousness and he again took his own weight.

 

“I’d say that’s enough. It’s time to rinse you off and put you to bed,” Billy said while thinking that as soon as he did, he was going to call a medical professional for advice.

 

Nodding agreeably, Nick stepped back beneath the water and as the soap washed away, he looked down and saw his flailing erection. He thought that Billy must have seen or felt it and he wondered how he was going to explain it.

 

When the water was turned off, Nick was a little dazed. He was also unsteady on his feet and so Billy wiped him dry with a thick towel. He handed the towel to Nick to wipe his private parts and then he walked him out and told him to stand against the cabinet and wait while he wiped his own body dry.

 

There was no thought on Nick’s part to get dressed. He knew he was heading for his bed where he always slept naked. He also did not consider Billy being naked or when he would get dressed again.

 

For Billy however, the thought was definitely there. Standard thoughts and actions told him he should get dressed but the heat of his blood and Nick’s seeming blasé approach and attitude, gave Billy the excuse he wanted to choose otherwise. He knew he was cultivating his fantasy hopes once again but still he dismissed his clothes on the toilet lid like they weren’t even there. When they reached the bedroom, Billy sat Nick on the bed and then supported him as he turned him to lean against the headboard.

 

Nick said quietly and enquiringly, “Billy?”

 

“Yeah Nick?”

 

Hating that he was about to do what he was going to, still Nick said, “This may sound really weird but I’m suddenly starving. Could I trouble you to get me something to eat?”

 

With an uncertain feeling of relief Billy smiled. He was not sure if he was right but he thought that wanting to eat might be a good sign and so he said, “Of course, Nick. What would you like?”

 

“A major meal because I’m really hungry but under my particular circumstances, I’d settle for a Peanut Butter sandwich and a cup of coffee,” Nick said.

 

Laughing, Billy asked as his eyes surreptitiously scanned over Nick’s naked body, “Are you sure you’re not going to pass out on me again?”

 

“I’m sure, Billy. I haven’t eaten since breakfast and I’ve spent a lot of energy today. I can’t define it for you but I’m pretty sure the lack of food explains what’s happening to me. Along with the bump to the head,” he replied.

 

Billy nodded and still naked, he walked through the apartment to the kitchen. Once there, he opened the fridge and after scanning briefly, he pulled out a large steak. He retrieved three eggs from the fridge as well and with an obvious ability in a kitchen; he quickly whipped up a substantial meal for Nick and made a coffee for both of them.

 

For the entire time he was cooking Nick’s meal, Billy had a smile on his face. Though he believed he knew what the reality of the situation between he and Nick was, he was still getting great pleasure from seeing to Nick’s needs and looking after him. For a few moments he imagined that Nick was his boyfriend and he was cooking him dinner. He thought that the attitudes of some people would categorize him in the socially and archaically stereotyped position of the wife. Billy was a man no matter what and he did not want to be a wife and yet, still he felt good being in this position for a brief time.

 

Continuing from his last thought, Billy suddenly smiled when he thought of a woman named Honey and his reference to her about a lonely and unnamed Prince. They were two associated thoughts from his recent past and then he was remembering the path that led him to be in Nick’s apartment. Suddenly, everything seemed as if it had led him here.

 

It was only three months prior that Billy had arrived in Detroit. Despite the fact that he had attended a boarding school in Pennsylvania, he had actually been born and raised in Scottsville, Kentucky. He had asked his parent’s to send him to Westtown, stating that the education he would receive would be of the highest quality but the truth was that Billy wanted to get as far away from Scottsville and in particular, from his brother, Bobby. After consistently annoying harassment and torment, Billy’s parents finally submitted to the pressure and soon enough Billy was miles from home.

 

Life at Westtown All Boys Preparatory had been like a breath of fresh air from Scottsville. Once he met and became best friends with Damon Weiss, life, along with his perspectives, were never to be the same again. This was made particularly obvious to Billy when Damon took him on several occasions to either Ryan’s Pub or Jitters Sports Bar in West Chester. Of course the most influential circumstances were the ones in secret and alone with Damon but suffice to say, Billy’s eyes were finally opened freely. Unfortunately school only lasts so long and once his schooling was complete, a career was the last thing on his mind. He wanted to get an average job, save some money and then get the hell out of Kentucky for good.

 

Leaving school, Billy returned home and all the unhappiness and dissatisfaction returned by being reunited with Bobby. Billy knew with certainty that life in Scottsville would never be for him. There was no way on earth that his family would accept his sexuality and so he thought for the time being, two state lines would be a great enough distance. There was always a fear someone would come looking for him because he had packed his bags and taken off in the middle of the night. It was not so much his parents he was worried about, as it was his brother.

 

Ironically, Bobby was a really nice guy but something had changed during his mid teens. He had become detached, secretive, aggressive and violent toward Billy. He was abusive of Billy somewhat verbally but mainly physically. While Billy was away at school, Bobby had become more heavily connected to the family’s Evangelist church. Subsequently he deemed faggots the scourge of the earth. His vilifying outbursts toward gays were poisonous and therefore Billy thought that if Bobby ever found out about him and then located him, he believed his life would be over.

 

Billy was nineteen when he left Scottsville and his first port was Paris, Illinois. He found a fully furnished place to live, got a job as a waiter and things were fine for two years but then one afternoon, as he was riding a bus, he looked out the window and saw Bobby walking into a motel with a suitcase. Though he thought there could have been alternate reasons for the coincidence, Billy was not prepared to take the risk. He went home, packed his things, hired a small car and was heading out of state before the sun had even set.

 

Once again Billy decided on two state lines. He drove through the night, crossing Indiana diagonally to the north and then into Ohio. It was not until he entered the state that he stopped to consider where he was going to go. As he looked at a map, Billy actually considered the town of Defiance, simply because of its name but then with some practical reasoning, he decided on Cleveland. He was twenty-one when he began a second new life.

 

With two years experience in the restaurant in Illinois, Billy quickly found a job as a waiter in Cleveland. It was not what he wanted to do but it kept him in the industry where his ambitions lay. While looking in the rental listings on only his second day in Cleveland, he happened upon an advertisement for a room that was relatively cheap. Less money sounded good and so he called the number and made an appointment to go and have a look.

 

When Billy arrived he met a woman named Honey Rockford. She was an attractive woman with blonde hair and he guessed she was about forty. He was a little uncertain when he found a house at the address but he discovered that it was a share accommodation situation. It was a two-story house, the living areas downstairs and the sleeping areas upstairs. It was a nice home overlooking Lake Erie and after spending some time with Honey talking, something clicked between them and he moved in the following day.

 

Billy and Honey became fast friends and the best of friends. It was not long before they were more like brother and sister. They talked about everything, told each other their most personal thoughts and feelings and most of the time was spent discussing men. It would almost have been a match made in heaven, except that Honey was straight and a woman and Billy was gay.

 

Almost every night of the week, usually as a matter of turn, Billy or Honey would cook each other dinner and then talk until well after midnight. She knew all about Billy’s life and she also knew all about Bobby, whom she constantly referred to as a lame assed, narrow-minded and head up his own ass moron. She had also seen a picture of Bobby and so two years later, on the day he arrived unexpectedly on the doorstep while Billy was at work, Honey had opened the door. She recognized Bobby immediately but treated him like an unknown stranger when she asked, “Can I help you?”

 

“I’m looking for Billy Jackson,” Bobby had replied.

 

“Billy? Oh my goodness young man, you’re only about eight months late. Billy did live here. He was such a bright and funny young man. He said he needed to go and live with the normal people. I’m not really sure what he meant by that but he moved to The Village in San Francisco,” she said with unflinching believability.

 

When Billy arrived home late that night and Honey explained what had occurred, he was both shocked and amused but mostly he was frightened. He literally rolled on the floor laughing when he heard Honey had misdirected Bobby to San Francisco. He also could picture the look on Bobby’s face, when Honey said that apparently it had turned cherry red with anger and his mouth hung opened in horrified shock. According to Honey, he turned and then without a word or even a thank you, he stormed away cursing Billy and his degenerate and perverted way of life.

 

Just in case, Billy and Honey were especially aware and vigilant that night but he decided it was time to leave again. Honey was saddened from the thought of Billy leaving but she understood and was curious where he would go. Billy was at a loss. He thought, they talked, he wondered but it seemed a futile predicament.

 

As he sat staring out the window at Lake Erie, just like he always did, the tone of his following question was worried when he asked, “Where can I go that he won’t find me? It seems as if I’d have to go to Australia or Asia or Africa just to get away from him,” he added with frustration.

 

Honey had said, “Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe he expects to find you in another country or another state. What if you just moved down the road or across the street?”

 

Honey had known it was not a worthy suggestion and that she simply did not want things to change. The truth was she wanted Billy to stay. She really had become so fond of him and she loved him dearly.

 

“I doubt it would matter where I went because I’m sure he has hired someone to locate me each time. Next time I may not be so lucky. At least it takes him a while to find me. It’s one thing I have on my side,” Billy had said.

 

Billy looked out over the lake once again and then minutes later, he turned and looked at Honey as if a light had gone on in his head and said, “Maybe not across the ocean but just across the lake. I’ve been staring over that water for two years like there was some magic city from a fairytale on the other side. I’ve been imagining that a heartbroken Prince was waiting for me, all alone across the water.”

 

Honey looked back at him, quite taken by the show of Billy’s romantic and idealistic nature. She loved seeing that soft and gentle side to him and she wished that Billy could find a man to be its beneficiary. She raised her hands questioningly to his suggestion and all she had said was “why not?”

 

Just under two days later, Billy was in Detroit. During his first month in the city he lived at the YMCA but he had gotten himself a job quickly and knew he would be okay. It worked out even better because he told his boss he wanted to be a chef and after a month he accepted a pay reduction, became an older than normal aged apprentice and began working in the kitchen.

 

Just before the end of that last week of his first month, Billy found and moved into his current apartment. Things were looking up but then to his great joy and also what was to become his dismay, he met his neighbor and it was obsessive lust at first sight. He had bumped into the man on the stairs on his second day and for whatever reason, Billy could not get Nick out of his mind from then on. He started almost stalking him. He would pretend to be going out just as he heard Nick walk out his front door. He would bring him his mail or his newspaper. On a couple of occasions he even went to his door, asking if Nick needed anything, before offering to pick some things up from the store for him. He knew his behavior was out of control but he was possessed like Regan from The Exorcist. He could not understand it but there was just something about Nick that turned him into an emotional lunatic.

 

As a general rule, Billy was soft hearted, a nice guy with a fun nature and he characterized a charming personality. He was not the macho, sport playing, knuckle cracking or beer swilling male but he was certainly not an effeminate queen.

 

“So why,” he now thought, as he found himself in Nick’s kitchen, “am I allowing myself to even consider the antiquated and stereotyped attitude of the old fashion role of a woman?”

 

From his own smile Billy realized there was only one answer. It was Nick. He made him want to look after him. He placed the meal and the coffees onto a tray and headed back to the bedroom. As he stepped into the room, he was pleased to see that Nick was still awake.

 

Actually, Nick had passed out briefly, which despite thinking quite some time had past, was the reason he did not realize what was happening or why he said what he said next. He looked at Billy with an amused grin.

 

“I was about to call out the National Guard to begin a search. I’m grateful but that was the longest winded sandwich I’ve ever had to wait for,” Nick said.

 

Firmly, Billy ordered, “Sit up!”

 

As Nick pushed his body into an upright position, Billy smiled and then put the tray onto Nick’s naked lap. He took his own coffee and moved it to the bedside table on the opposite side of the bed. He looked back at Nick, who was staring at him dumbfounded. Billy thought that even with a stunned mullet expression on his face, Nick still looked stunning and made him want to kiss those lips.

 

Billy asked, “What?”

 

“Shit, Billy, this is awesome but I didn’t mean for you to cook me a meal, Nick said, feeling embarrassed.”

 

“You were hungry, you had the food and the amenities to do the job so I thought, why the fuck not. Anyway, if your condition has something to do with a lack of food, this will be far better for you than Peanut Butter sandwiches. Now shut up and fill that stomach while the food’s still hot and before I have to call for the paramedics,” he said nonchalantly and then he sat down on Nick’s bed beside him, propped against the headboard in the exact same manner and then picked up his coffee.

 

Nick was stunned but he picked up his knife and fork and began to cut and eat the steak and eggs. At the same time, Billy sat quietly drinking his coffee and stealing glances of any available part of Nick’s naked body. Nick was doing exactly the same thing whenever he thought Billy was not looking.

 

Though Billy was a lot smaller than Nick, Nick loved the shape and musculature of Billy’s arms, legs and torso. He could not help but let his eyes follow the curves of the smooth young muscles. He liked the way his chest was nicely rounded but he particularly liked the way his nipples extended out like pointed peaks at the top of two mountains. Billy’s cock was smaller than his own and average in size but Nick liked that it was full in its flaccid state, as it rested, curved comfortably over a large and firm scrotum. He looked back to his plate and took another portion of stake into his mouth, chewing and swallowing as quickly as every portion before it.

 

Nick asked while chewing, “Did you go next door to your place while you were out there?”

 

“Nick, I’m naked and I’m not one to run around in public areas without clothing, so why would you ask that?”

 

Nick replied, “Where did you get the tray, I don’t own a tray?”

 

“Or much of anything else from what I can see,” Billy said matter-of-factly.

 

“I have what I need and if I need something else, I can go to the store and buy it,” Nick said.

 

“To answer your question, I guess it must have been left here by the last tenants because it was in the cupboard next to the oven,” Billy explained.

 

Nick asked, “How did you know it was there? I certainly didn’t.”

 

“Well Nick, humans have this amazing feature called eyes and you can use them in combination with an ability called searching, so I looked through your cupboards and low and behold, there in all its majesty was the mythical tray.”

 

Nick shook his head but he was very amused by the standard though friendly banter, which he was becoming accustomed to from Billy.

 

“You know I may not be one hundred percent at the moment Billy but I could still shove this mythical tray up your ass,” Nick countered.

 

“With that sort of attitude, you can forget about me ever coming to your aid again. Next time I’ll leave you lying in the street,” Billy said while smirking, as Nick chewed on another piece of steak.

 

“Why would you assume that it’s going to happen again? It’s not like this sort of thing happens every other night,” Nick said, amused.

 

“I don’t know, Nick, maybe it has something to do with your type,” Billy said playfully.

 

Nick had a presumptuous grin on his face. He was expecting Billy’s usual light hearted or comical reply when he asked, “Type? What type am I, Billy?”

 

“The big jock who plays hard and parties just as hard and might find himself incapable of reaching his apartment, when he passes out following hours of alcohol abuse,” he said with a condescending smirk.

 

“Well I suppose that is standard behavior for big jocks and if that is what I am, I’m lucky that I have a neighbor who will rescue me from my notorious ways,” Nick said and then chuckled.

 

The sarcasm was thick and the roll of his eyes was accentuated when Billy asked, “If that is what you are? Best you keep an eye on your mail box, Nick; we don’t want you to miss the bill I’ll be sending you.”

 

“This is so fucking good, Billy.”

 

“It would have been better if you had some garlic or mushrooms or something to add some additional flavors to it,” he said, as he enacted an unconscious emotional habit and brushed the long strands of his black hair that hung and rested over his forehead. Billy only ever brushed it away when a man was heavily influencing his emotions.

 

“Sorry, not a cook or a big shopper or even the domesticated type but to me, this is fucking awesome, Billy.”

 

While he was chuckling at the remark, Billy considered how he would like to cook for Nick every night. He then looked down and considered his state of undress. He knew he would never walk around or sit around naked with someone, unless it was a boyfriend and they were alone. Billy knew that he liked being naked with Nick and he was imagining Nick was looking at his body and wanting him. He believed it was no more than a fantasy and that with Nick being a straight, big jock or something, he probably had not even given him a second glance. Still the confidence to be naked with Nick felt good and just the fact that he was with Nick like a friend, made him happy. He only wished that he knew Nick better and knew more about him.

 

It was a little strange because they saw each other all the time and they stopped and talked on every occasion but in the three months that this was occurring, they had only ever talked about things of a general or superficial nature. Nick had never asked Billy a personal question, other than how old he was. Billy assumed that Nick was not particularly interested and that he was not prepared to exchange personal details. As a consequence, Billy always avoided the questions that existed within his mind. He kept everything comical and light. He did not even know what Nick did for work.

 

Billy glanced up and looked around the bedroom as Nick continued to eat. His whole apartment had the bare necessities but little more than that and his bedroom was no more than a place to sleep and store his clothes. Billy had never seen someone’s home that did not reflect their personality in some small way but Nick’s place revealed nothing of who he was. He knew so little of him but being there with him, he still could not ascertain anything new about him. He wondered if this was a temporary residence and if that was the reason for the sparse and antiseptic nature of his apartment.

 

The apartment was clean, very clean in fact but it needed some serious improvements. It did not look like it had been painted in thirty years, the carpet needed to be torn up and replaced and the paint on the ceilings was peeling or chipping away. There were no curtains, except for on the living room window and they looked like they would disintegrate if somebody touched them. Billy thought that with some work, Nick’s apartment could be as nice as his. These thoughts bothered him because he did not want Nick to leave without becoming his friend or even more.

 

Billy remained silent as Nick devoured the food like he had not eaten in weeks. When the plate was completely empty and only the colored streaks of the now vanished food tarnished its appearance, Billy turned to Nick and looked at him while smirking. Nick’s head tilted to the side, as he looked back like a puppy wondering what was taking place.

 

Billy said jokingly with a serious tone of voice, “I thought you might taste, chew and swallow your food but I suppose if you prefer to inhale it then that’s okay too. I just hope it was enjoyable?”

 

Nick blushed with embarrassment. He remembered that apart from during his time at the orphanage, the first time he had gone out and eaten in public was only four years ago. He was not an uptown guy, he knew little of the finer side of life and what knowledge he had of the right and wrong way to eat, was basically gained from watching other people while eating at downtown diners, truck stop cafes or the grills in the back of bars. He had never even entered a real restaurant, let alone been into one that resembled what he assumed was referred to as classy. Nick was about as attuned to that side of life as he was to walking away from a fight. In both cases there had never been an opportunity.

 

“I’m sorry, Billy. I know I ate it fast but it wasn’t just okay, it was great and I was so hungry,” he said while feeling insecure and like he had done something wrong.

 

“Nick, I was just kidding. Please don’t apologize or feel badly. I hope more people will enjoy my cooking like you do. It makes me want to cook for you all the time.”

 

Nick smiled with relief but he instantly saw an opportunity to play with Billy the way Billy so often played with him. In normal circumstances he would not have even considered such a thing but he felt so at ease and comfortable with this young man, his nature began to free up.

 

“Well Billy, you did make me feel very bad with your remark,” he said, a feigned hurt prominent in his voice.

 

Now it was Billy who was embarrassed and feeling bad that he had hurt Nick’s feelings. He did not realize that Nick was giving him some of his own medicine and he looked at Nick, his eyes worried and regretful.

 

“Nick, I apologize. I really didn’t mean to offend you. I was just ribbing you.”

 

Still deceptively emphasizing a hurt tone of voice, Nick said, “Maybe you could make up for it on another night and cook me the huge dinner I really wanted?”

 

“Of course, Nick. I’m sorry if I upset you. I’ll make you anything you want, just say what and when.”

 

“I’ll hold you to that promise no matter what happens next,” Nick said.

 

“Of course,” Billy replied, wondering what he meant.

 

“Actually, you could be my chef and butler and see to my every domestic need. You could come back tomorrow morning and cook me breakfast as well or better yet, you could sleep on the floor in the laundry like my pet,” he said, offering a gotcha smirk and then he laughed as Billy’s eyes filled with realization.

 

“You asshole,” Billy said and Nick reached over and squeezed his shoulder endearingly.

 

Billy turned and looked into Nick’s eyes. He tried to look irritated but it was like falling off a cliff and swiftly approaching water that looked deceptively soft, smooth and safe. Billy suddenly knew that he was going to hit hard. He brushed at the hair over his forehead again.

 

Nick smiled and he pulled Billy toward him as he wrapped his arm around his shoulders. The side of Billy’s face pressed against his shoulder, his arm pressed against Nick’s chest and while Nick was thinking that there was definitely something unusual about the way he was feeling toward Billy; on the other hand, Billy was thinking he had died and gone to heaven. He was naked in bed with the man of his dreams and that man was holding him against his naked body.

 

Billy felt his cock twitch. In fear of an erection combined with the disappointment of his fear, he pulled away from Nick gently. Billy grinned and shook his head and then slid the tray from Nick’s lap. He could not help but notice the expanded though still flaccid cock, leaning on Nick’s thigh. He stood immediately and walked out of the room.

 

“Leave the dishes on the sink,” Nick called out to Billy and then he lay back down feeling one hundred percent better, fresher and satisfied. He was fully aware the fog in his head had lifted and apart from his sore and aching body, he felt almost normal again.

 

Nick suddenly felt an overwhelming closeness to Billy and it reminded him how all those years ago at the orphanage, he had wished he had a brother. Of course there had been his friend Jake but though he was not as close to Billy as he had been to Jake, there seemed to be something more, something different.

 

Thoughtfully, Nick considered maybe that was it. Billy was not like anyone else he had ever had in his life. Not that he ever had many people of consequence in his life but Billy certainly lived up to the fantasy of the brother he had always wanted. It was something to do with the easy feeling between them, the pleasant and often funny banter they shared or the simple enjoyment of just having him around. He liked Billy and Nick thought that in his life he had never met someone nicer. Nick closed his eyes and with a soft smile, minutes later he was sound asleep.

 

Billy entered the kitchen and immediately cleaned up the mess he had made, before putting everything away. When he finally returned to the bedroom, he found Nick sleeping like a baby, breathing deeply and looking not only stunning but it was also the first time he had ever seen Nick looking so tranquil and serene.

 

Softly, Billy said, “Nick?”

 

Only silence followed and Billy sat down gently on the bed and stared at Nick’s awesome body. He had to restrain his desire to caress the naked, masculine frame, which lay seemingly offering itself in its availability to his touch. Billy felt his heart beating hard as he gazed at Nick’s handsome face and then unconsciously, he reached and ran his fingers through this generally rough and raw man’s soft and wavy black hair.

 

It was not just sex that Billy wanted. Every time he saw Nick or was near him and every time they had one of the limited talks that passed between them, Billy was distinctly aware of a strange feeling or need or something, to hold Nick and cuddle him. He always had this impression that Nick was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Billy wished desperately that he could have the opportunity to try and make things better for him. It was why he was so aware of the silken serenity, which softened Nick’s sleeping face.

 

He let his eyes slowly move down over Nick’s face and body again. The bruising was really beginning to come out and the blacks and dark blue patches formed strange and disconcerting shapes. There was an enormous bruise that ran from his back, around his waist and onto his stomach and Billy wanted to get some cream and gently rub it in. He did not even know if they made something like that for bruising but as he imagined how it must be hurting Nick, particularly considering the memories from his own past, he knew how much the thought of Nick in pain, made his heart ache for him. Billy just wanted to do something, anything, to comfort and make him feel better. He looked up at the gash at Nick’s eyebrow. It was ugly and raw but the only thought that ran through his head was to kiss it better. No doubt or hesitation followed and he leaned down and ever so tenderly, Billy did exactly that.

 

When he sat back up, his erection stood hard and pressed against his gut, while an explosive knot crushed at his heart. He wondered if following these last few months of living next door to Nick; seeing him almost everyday and being so attracted to him, if perhaps he was not just infatuated with Nick after all. Billy wondered seriously if he had for the first time, possibly fallen in love?

 

Billy had been with guys and had the so-called boyfriends briefly but he had never been in love and so he was not really certain that these new and unfamiliar feelings were what he thought they were. He wanted to lie down beside Nick and to hold his big body and to fall asleep with his face pressed against his naked chest. However, as he looked at Nick again, the thought returned that he always concluded that Nick was straight. He told himself he had to accept that there would never be anything of what he truly wanted between them. He stood up abruptly and a little irritated from his thought, while thinking he had to get dressed.

 

The abrupt movement of the bed roused Nick to that state between the conscious and the unconscious. His body was so heavy and relaxed and he was so exhausted he just could not pull himself back to being fully awake.

 

Nick said in a strained whisper, his eyes still closed, “Billy?”

 

Billy replied, also in a whisper, “Yeah?”

 

Nick’s voice asked airily, “Dinner, again?”

 

“Yeah, of course,” he replied a little shocked.

 

“Billy?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Why are you so good to me?”

 

Silenced and wide-eyed from the question, Billy stood still. He suddenly had a knot in his throat and he was at a loss as to how to respond. He stood staring at Nick as he tried to think of an answer but then he realized that over a minute had ticked by and Nick had quieted again. Billy breathed relieved but wished in that moment, he had been courageous enough to say the words that were now running through his head, almost with certainty.

 

Walking out of the bedroom and back into the bathroom, Billy dressed himself again. He picked up Nick’s clothes to take them into the bedroom and put them into the clothes hamper he had seen. As he held the pile in his hand and glanced down at it, he stared at the jockstrap on top. It was another of those crazy and compulsive moments regarding Nick. He slipped the jockstrap into his pocket and as he looked into the mirror at his reflection, which was looking back at his alien personality accusingly, Billy felt guilty from his own chastising expression.

 

“Fuck off,” he said glaring at his reflection and then he turned off the light and returned to Nick’s bedroom.

 

Billy dumped the dirty clothes into the hamper and then turned around. He gazed with desire at the naked giant, all tanned and delicious. He then stepped to the base of the bed, took hold of the seam of the white sheet and then floated it gently up and over Nick’s beautiful body. He gazed at his face for a few moments and then he turned and switched off the light. He walked to the front door and as he looked back in the direction of Nick’s bedroom with resignation, he extinguished the final light and stepped from Nick’s apartment to go home.

 

To be continued...